Vitamin D modulates biliary fibrosis in ABCB4-deficient mice.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Impaired vitamin D receptor signaling represents an aggravating factor during liver injury, and recent studies suggest that vitamin D might exert a protective role in chronic hepatobiliary diseases. We hypothesized that vitamin D supplementation would ameliorate liver fibrosis in ATP-binding cassette transporter B4 knockout (Abcb4 (-/-)) mice as a preclinical model of sclerosing cholangitis.

Methods

Abcb4 (-/-) and wild-type mice were fed a regular chow diet (600 IU vitamin D/kg food) or diets with lower (100 IU/kg) and higher (2,400 IU/kg) vitamin D concentrations for 12 weeks. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassays. Liver injury and biliary fibrosis were assessed by liver enzyme activities, histopathology and hepati

SUBMITTER: Hochrath K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4148166 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature